Pat Murray and June Joyce will not be fighting the Bridges and Deckham wards respectively.

Instead Bob Goldsworthy will be the candidate in Bridges ward and Bernadette Oliphant will contest the Deckham seat.

Other candidates selected by Gateshead Labour Party are sitting councillors Paul McNally in Felling, Jim Turnbull in Windy Nook and Whitehills, Malcolm Graham in High Fell, Mick Henry in Saltwell, Frank Donovan in Lobley Hill and Bensham and Keith Wood in Chowdene.